Loropetalum plant named ‘Hindwarf’

ABSTRACT

A new plant of  Loropetalum chinense  characterized by its low growing, compact habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofLoropetalum chinense and was discovered as a naturally occurring,whole-plant mutation in a cultivated planting of Loropetalum chinense inAngyo Kichi Zo, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. The varietal denomination ofthe new variety is ‘Hindwarf’.

The genus Loropetalum is included in the family Hamamelidaceae thatcomprises about 15 genera of shrubs and trees growing in the northernhemisphere. Loropetalum comprises one species of evergreen shrub orsmall tree, which possesses desirable ornamental characteristics.Loropetalum was first introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant in the1880s, and is believed to have been cultivated in North America sincethe early 1930s.

Loropetalum chinense is a native of China, and was first discovered in1928 in Hunan province. It was rediscovered in the late 1980s andsubsequently introduced to the United States. Loropetalum chinensegenerally has alternate, ovate leaves to 6 cm. long and 3 cm. wide. Theplant is evergreen or partly evergreen depending on winter temperature.Leaf color ranges from light to dark burgundy, occasionally green,depending on light intensity, cultural conditions and cultivar. Shootsare slender, brown, and densely pubescent, pit is solid. Leaves aregenerally densely pubescent overall.

Flowers of Loropetalum chinense are perfect, four strap like, about 2cm. long, and about 0.3 cm. wide petals. Three to six flowers aretogether in each leaf axil. Pedicel and calyx have a white pubescence.Flower color is pinkish to reddish purple depending on the cultivar.Flowering is heaviest in early spring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety was discovered as a naturally occurring, whole plantmutation in a cultivated planting of Loropetalum chinense and differsfrom other cultivars known to the inventor in having a low growing,compact habit. Asexual reproduction of the new variety by stem cuttingsperformed in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan; Lewisberry, Pa.;Irvine, Calif.; Forest Grove, Oreg. and Fulshear, Tex.; have confirmedthat the distinctive characteristics of the new variety are stable andtransmitted to succeeding generations and that the new varietyreproduces true to type.

COMPARISON WITH PARENT

‘Hindwarf’ is distinguished from its parent and all other varieties ofLoropetalum chinense of which I am aware by its prostrate, compacthabit, reaching no more than 2 ft. in height and 3 to 6 ft. in width. Incontrast, the parent of ‘Hindwarf’ is an upright-growing shrub to about12 ft. high and 6 ft. wide. Named varieties similar to the parentinclude Loropetalum chinense ‘Ruby’ (unpatented), which reaches about 4ft. high and about 3 ft. wide at maturity; and the variety ‘HinesPurpleleaf’ (unpatented), which reaches about 3 ft. high and about 2 ft.wide at maturity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying photographic illustrations show a plant of the newcultivar as true to color as is reasonably possible to make in anillustration of this character.

FIG. 1 illustrates the distinctive compact growth habit of a matureplant as well as the smaller leaf of a specimen grown in the UnitedStates.

FIG. 2 illustrates the foliage of the new variety.

FIG. 3 illustrates the unique flower color and flower size.

FIG. 4 illustrates the mature foliage of the new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

Loropetalum chinense ‘Hindwarf’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental, cultural, and light conditions. The followingobservations and descriptions are of plants grown in containers atFulshear, Tex. and Lewisberry, Pa., and of plants growing in thelandscape in Katy, Tex. Phenotypic expression may vary with lightintensity, cultural, and environmental conditions. In this description,color references are to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart(1966) and terminology used in this color chart. As with many plants inthe Hamamelidaceae family, phenotypic characteristics can bedramatically different in terms of growth morphology. For example,viewing this plant in Irvine, Calif., the growth habit is distinctlypendulous, growing down the pot and tending to have a horizontal growthform; in Fulshear, Tex. the plant is compact and upright with a matureheight of about 2 feet.

Classification:

Botanical.— Loropetalum chinense ‘Hindwarf’.

Parentage.—Whole plant mutation of an unnamed plant of Loropetalumchinense.

Propagation.—By vegetative cuttings.

Plant:

Size.—To approximately 2′ tall and between about 3′ to 6′ wide.

Branching.—Dense, overall prostrate to mounding branching habit.

Lateral branches.—Multi-branched shrub.

Branch number.—More than 1,000 branches and stems.

Branch size.—Typical branch about 1 m. long, pendulous.

Branch diameter.—Typical branch about 1 cm. in diameter; branch apex istypically about 1 mm. or less.

Branch coloration.—Near Grayed-Orange Group 166B.

Habit.—Compact prostrate to mounding shrub.

Leaf shape.—Simple, alternate, ovate; obtuse to acute base, acute toobtuse apices.

Leaf apex.—Acute to obtuse.

Leaf base.—Obtuse to acute. Occasionally unequal.

Leaf margin.—Entire, with stellate hairs.

Leaf texture/substance.—Firm to leathery; upper surface and glossy, withimpressed veins; underside glaucous with greenish veins and whitishmidrib, with scattered stellate hairs.

Leaf color.—Varies with intensity of sunlight and cultural conditions;the following color readings were taken in April, November and December,of plants grown in full sun conditions.

April — Fulshear, Tex.

Young leaves:

Upper side.—Near Greyed-Purple Group 183A.

Under side.—Near Red-Purple Group 59C.

Mature leaves:

Upper side.—Near Yellow-Green Group 147A.

Under side.—Near Greyed-Green Group 191B.

November — Fulshear, Tex.

Young leaves:

Upper side.—Near Red Group 53A.

Under side.—Near Red Group 53D.

Mature leaves:

Upper side.—Near Greyed-Purple Group 187A.

Under side.—Near Red-Purple Group 59C with mottling near Yellow-GreenGroup 147B.

December — Fulshear, Tex.

Young leaves:

Upper side.—Near Greyed-Purple Group 187A.

Under side.—Near Red-Purple Group59C.

Mature leaves:

Upper side.—Near Green Group 133A.

Under side.—Near Yellow-Green Group 147A.

November — Vacaville, Calif.

Growth at base of branches:

Upper side.—Near Yellow-Green Group 147A.

Under side.—Near Yellow-Green Group 147B.

Growth at apex of branches:

Upper side.—Near Greyed-Purple Group 183A.

Under side.—Near Greyed-Purple Group 184D.

Venation:

Pattern.—Upper Surface: Pinnate. Under Surface: Pinnate.

Coloration:

New foliage.—Upper Surface: Near Near Greyed-Purple Group 187A. UnderSurface: Near Red-Purple Group 59C.

Mature foliage.—Upper Surface: Near Green Group 133A. Under Surface:Near Yellow-Green Group 147A.

Petioles:

Size.—Approximately 1 to 3 mm. long; and approximately 0.8 mm. indiameter.

Coloration.—Near Greyed-Orange Group 166B (upper and lower surfaces).

Internodes: About 0.5 to 1.5 cm. long.

Leaf size: About 1 to 2.5 cm. long; 1 to 1.5 cm. wide.

Hardiness: USDA Zone 7 (0° F. to 7° F.).

Vigor: Moderate.

March.—Vacaville, Calif. About 7″ high and about 12″ wide.

October.—Vacaville, Calif. About 11″ high, 30″ wide.

Pests/diseases: No pest or disease problems noted.

Inflorescence

Bloom period: Early spring with occasional light repeat bloomingthroughout the growing season.

Flower form: Perfect, about 8 to 11 pinkish colored strap-like petalsper flower.

Flower arrangement: Congested terminal raceme on short peduncle,occasionally solitary at terminals or in leaf axils; about 6 to 8flowers per inflorescence.

Flower size: Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 cm long and about 1 to 2 mm wide.

Diameter: About 8 mm.

Depth: About 8 mm.

Lastingness of individual blooms: Between 2 and 3 weeks.

Fragrance: None noted.

Petals:

Coloration.—Upper Surface: From near Red Group 55B to 51A, 53C, 52A and53D. Lower Surface: From near Red group 55B and 51A, 52A and 53D.

Length/width.—About 1.5 cm. long and about 1 mm. wide.

Apex.—Flat.

Margin.—Smooth.

Buds:

Shape.—2-horned capsule.

Length.—About 3 mm.

Diameter.—About 2 mm.

Coloration.—Near Red-Purple Group 60B.

Peduncle:

Length.—About 1 mm.

Diameter.—About 0.5 mm.

Coloration.—Light brown.

Reproductive organs

Stamens: 4.

Stigma: 1.

Pistils:

Number.—1.

Pollen:

Amount produced.—Minute.

Color.—Off-white.

Fruit:

Type.—Ovoid, woody, 2-horned capsule, one seed per each cell.

Amount.—About 75 to 100 per plant per year.

Length.—About 5 mm.

Diameter.—About 6 mm.

Coloration.—Dark brown.

